Wet or dry cleaning media

ABSTRACT

Various embodiments of a cleaning apparatus are disclosed. The cleaning apparatus can have a working surface that is configured to interface with a cleaning surface. The cleaning apparatus can include a first material and a second material. The first material can have an open lofty structure with an adhesive on a surface which comprises at least a portion of the working surface of the cleaning apparatus. The first material configured to collect debris. The second material can be coupled to the first material and can have a sorbent structure configured to sorb a liquid from the cleaning surface.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This document pertains generally, but not by way of limitation, to cleaning apparatuses and related systems and methods. More specifically, without limitation, this document relates to apparatuses that comprise a cleaning media for cleaning implement such as a mop or duster.

BACKGROUND

Cleaning devices for cleaning hard surfaces, especially dry dusting of hard surfaces such as floors are known. Similarly, cleaning devices such as mops for the cleaning of hard surface such as floors with a liquid (e.g. a cleaning solution) are also known. However, cleaning procedures typically rely on the gathering of debris first (e.g., by sweeping and/or dusting) using a dedicated first tool. A dedicated second tool, such as a wet mop can then be used in a second step to complete the cleaning process. This two-step process is utilized as wet mops lack the ability to collect a significant amount of debris.

OVERVIEW

The present inventors have recognized, among other things, that cleaning processes can be simplified into a single step utilizing a single tool with the ability to both collect debris and accomplish wet cleaning (e.g., by picking up moisture and/or by releasing and then subsequently picking up a cleaning liquid such as a cleaning solution upon contact with a cleaning surface).

The present inventors have developed cleaning apparatuses that can form the cleaning media for a mop or another type of cleaning device. The cleaning apparatuses disclosed can have a first material having an open lofty structure with an adhesive on a surface or impregnating the structure thereof to collect debris. The cleaning apparatuses can also have a second material coupled to the first material. The second material can have a sorbent structure configured to sorb a liquid (either by absorption or adsorption). To this end, the present inventors have developed a plurality of embodiments for accomplishing combined wet (liquid sorption) and dry (debris collection) cleaning of a cleaning surface utilizing only a single apparatus. According to one embodiment, the first material can be one or more nonwoven layers with an adhesive on the surface thereof. According to further embodiments, the first material can have adhesive properties such as from a fibrous adhesive spray, a patterned coating of adhesive, or the like.

In one embodiment, the cleaning apparatus can have a working surface that is configured to interface with a cleaning surface. The cleaning apparatus can include a first material and a second material. The first material can have an open lofty structure with an adhesive on a surface which comprises at least a portion of the working surface of the cleaning apparatus. The first material is configured to collect debris. The second material can be coupled to the first material and can have a sorbent structure configured to sorb a liquid from the cleaning surface.

According to some aspects of the present disclosure, the first material can comprise a plurality of fibers having a web structure and an adhesive which can comprise a substance which is tacky in the presence or absence of liquids (e.g., water and/or oils). The adhesive can be on one or more surfaces of the plurality of fibers. At least one of the first material and the second material can be resiliently compressible to conform the working surface of the cleaning apparatus to the cleaning surface. In some embodiments, the first material can be resiliently compressible to allow the second material to form a second portion of the working surface and to contact the cleaning surface. The first material and the second material can comprise stratified layers with the surface of the first material configured to be disposed at the cleaning surface and the second material spaced from the cleaning surface by the first material. According to other embodiments, the working surface of the cleaning apparatus can include a second surface formed by the second material (e.g. the first material and the second material can be incorporated together or the first material can cover less than the full area of the working surface such that the second material is exposed to comprise at least a part (or all) of the working surface).

In another embodiment, the cleaning apparatus can have a working surface that can be configured to interface with a cleaning surface. The cleaning apparatus can include a fiber web and a sorbent material. The fiber web can have an open lofty structure with an adhesive on a surface and the volume of the fiber web. The surface can comprise at least a portion of the working surface of the cleaning apparatus and the fiber web can be configured to collect debris. The sorbent material can be coupled to the fiber web and can be configured to sorb a liquid from the cleaning surface.

In yet another embodiment, a system for cleaning a surface is disclosed. The system can include an apparatus configured to reversibly mount to a cleaning device, the apparatus having a first working surface with at least a portion formed by a first material, a second working surface with at least a portion formed by one of the first material or a different material, and a sorbent material interposed between the first working surface and the second working surface. The first material can have an open lofty structure with an adhesive on the surface thereof. The first material can be configured to collect debris and can be configured to couple to the sorbent material. The different material, if utilized, can comprise one or more of a sealing layer, a cover sheet, a scrim, and an abrasive. The different material can be configured to couple with the sorbent material on an opposing surface thereof from the first material. According to further embodiments, the system can comprise a plurality of apparatuses each apparatus in the system can have a different configuration from one another while still having at least the first material and the sorbent material interposed between the first working surface and the second working surface. For example, the first material for each of the plurality of apparatuses can be differently sized or shaped at the portion that forms the first working surface.

This overview is intended to provide an overview of subject matter of the present patent application. It is not intended to provide an exclusive or exhaustive explanation of the invention. The detailed description is included to provide further information about the present patent application.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a mop utilizing a cleaning apparatus to accomplish both wet and dry cleaning of a cleaning surface according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the mop of FIG. 1 showing the cleaning apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2A is enlarged view of the cleaning apparatus of FIG. 2 showing a first material of the cleaning apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2B shows an enlarged, cross-sectional view of a portion of the first material of FIG. 2A along lines 2B-2B.

FIGS. 3 and 3A are perspective views of a portion of the mop and one embodiment of the cleaning apparatus including the first material and a second material.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the cleaning apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure where the first material comprises a plurality of spaced strips oriented substantially transverse with respect to a leading edge and a trailing edge of the apparatus.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the cleaning apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure where the first material comprises a plurality of spaced strips oriented diagonally with respect to the leading edge and the trailing edge of the apparatus.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the cleaning apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure where the apparatus includes the first material forming a first working surface and optionally the first material forming a second working surface.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the cleaning apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure where the apparatus includes the first material disposed at, and adjacent to the leading edge and the trailing edge of the apparatus optionally on one or both sides.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the cleaning apparatus according to FIG. 7 but further including a third material in addition to the second material optionally on one or both sides.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the cleaning apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure where the apparatus includes the first material disposed spaced from the leading edge and the trailing edge of the apparatus and the optional third material is disposed at, and adjacent to (generally aligned with) the leading edge and the trailing edge of the apparatus.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the cleaning apparatus according to FIG. 4 but further including the first material comprising spaced apart strips optionally disposed on a second opposing side of the cleaning apparatus to form at least a portion of a second working surface from the first material that forms at least a portion of the first working surface.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the cleaning apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure where the apparatus includes the first material forming the first working surface of the apparatus and the optional third material forms the second working surface of the apparatus opposing the first working surface.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the cleaning apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure where the apparatus includes the first material comprising distinct regions of the first working surface, the regions disposed within the optional third material which form a remainder of the first working surface of the apparatus.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the cleaning apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure where the apparatus includes two regions of the first material overlapping with and secured to leading edge and trailing edge of the second material on one side of the second material.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the cleaning apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure where the apparatus includes the first material disposed at, and extending beyond the leading edge and the trailing edge of the apparatus on both sides of the second material.

FIG. 15 is an exploded cross-section view of the cleaning apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure where the apparatus includes the first material folded at and secured between two sections of the second material.

FIG. 16 is an exploded cross-section view of the cleaning apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure where the apparatus includes the first material disposed at and extending the leading edge and trailing edge of two sections of the second material.

FIG. 17 is an exploded cross-section view of the cleaning apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention where the apparatus includes the first material extending beyond the leading and trailing edge of the second material. It further includes a third material on both outer major surfaces of the apparatus.

FIG. 18 is a schematic of the testing track for Example 3.

In the drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, like numerals may describe similar components in different views. Like numerals having different letter suffixes may represent different instances of similar components. The drawings illustrate generally, by way of example, but not by way of limitation, various embodiments discussed in the present document.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure generally relates to cleaning apparatuses and related systems and methods for accomplishing combined wet (liquid sorption) and dry (debris collection) cleaning of a cleaning surface utilizing a single apparatus. As such, the present disclosure is generally directed to apparatuses that can utilize a first lofty material to collect debris and a second sorbent material to sorb a liquid.

According to some exemplary embodiments, the apparatus can include a first material. The first material can have an open lofty structure with an adhesive on a surface which comprises at least a portion of the working surface of the cleaning apparatus. According to some embodiments, the first material can be one or more nonwoven layers with an adhesive on the surface or dispersed throughout the volume thereof. In some embodiments, the first material can comprise a plurality of fibers having a web structure and the adhesive can comprise a substance which is tacky in the presence or absence of liquids (e.g., water and/or oils) and the adhesive can be on one or more surfaces of the plurality of fibers. According to further embodiments, the first material can comprise adhesive such as fibrous adhesive spray, pattern coating adhesive, or the like. An exemplary material that can comprise the first material according to some embodiments is described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,560,398, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

The present cleaning apparatuses can additionally include a second material (sometimes referred to as sorbent material herein). The second material can be coupled to the first material and can have a sorbent structure configured to sorb a liquid from the cleaning surface. The second material can comprise any one or combination of a spongy material, a non-woven material layer, a woven material layer, a plurality of layers, a substrate, a sheet, a pad, or the like. An exemplary material that can comprise the second material according to some embodiments are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,813,948, 4,921,645, 4,429,001, 4,650,479, 5,256,466, and 4,933,229, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

Definitions

The term “a”, “an”, and “the” are used interchangeably with “at least one” to mean one or more of the elements being described.

The term “and/or”, “at least one”, “one or more” means either or both. For example “A and/or B” means only A, only B, or both A and B.

The terms “including,” “comprising,” or “having,” and variations thereof, are meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items.

Unless specified or limited otherwise, the term “coupled” and variations thereof are used broadly and encompass both direct and indirect couplings.

The terms “trailing,” “leading,” “top,” “bottom,” and the like are used to describe elements as they relate to one another, but are in no way meant to recite specific orientations of the apparatus, to indicate or imply necessary or required orientations of the apparatus, or to specify how the invention described herein will be used, mounted, or positioned in use.

“Debris” comprises both solid materials (e.g., particulate or the like) as well as thick or thixotropic fluids.

The term “lofty,” “lofty material” or variations thereof are meant to encompass a material with openings and voids therein. The openings and voids provide capacity for debris to be collected within the material.

The term “tacky,” “tacky material” or variations thereof are meant to encompass a variety of adhesive materials in a variety of forms, with the particular properties being dependent on the use of the cleaning apparatus. The tacky material can comprise a pressure sensitive adhesive, e.g., elastomeric block copolymers, natural rubber, butyl rubber and polyisobutylene, styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR), polyisoprene, polyalphaolefins, and polyacrylates. Examples of useful thermoplastic elastomeric block copolymers include styrene-isoprene (SI), styrene-isoprene-styrene (SIS), styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS), ethylene-propylene-diene, styrene-ethylene/butylene-styrene (SEBS), and styrene-ethylene/propylene-styrene (SEPS). Other useful adhesive compositions may include, e.g., polyvinyl ethers, ethylene containing copolymers such as, e.g., ethylene vinyl acetate, ethylacrylate, and ethyl methacrylate, polyurethanes, polyamides, polyepoxides, polyvinylpyrrolidones and copolymers thereof, polyvinylalcohols and copolymers thereof, polyesters, and combinations thereof. Further, the tacky material can include a polymeric additive such as tacky polymers alone or in combination with one or more pressure sensitive adhesives, as described subsquently. Suitable tacky polymers include, but are not limited to, N-decylmethacrylate polymer, polyisobutylene polymers, alkyl methacrylate polymers, polyisobutylene polymers, polyalkyl acrylates, and mixtures thereof. The tacky material composition can also include additives such as, e.g., plasticizers, diluents, fillers, antioxidants, stabilizers, pigments, cross-linking agents, and the like.

The term “sorbent,” “sorbent material,” or variations thereof can encompass both absorbent and adsorbent materials.

The term “sorb” describes the process or capability of the second material to draw a liquid and hold it therein. Sorb can include absorption or adsorption.

The term “liquid” can encompass any fluid including water based fluids such as cleaning solutions and oil based fluids.

The term “fiber” can include knitted, woven, nonwoven fiberous materials. The fibers can be of indefinite length (e.g., filaments) and fibers of discrete length (e.g., staple fibers). The fibers can be multicomponent fibers according to some embodiments. The term “multicomponent fiber” refers to a fiber having at least two distinct longitudinally coextensive structured polymer domains in the fiber cross-section as opposed to blends where the domains tend to be dispersed, random, or unstructured. Regardless, useful fiberous materials include, for example, polyester, nylon, polypropylene of any appropriate fiber length and denier, and mixtures thereof. Further, some or all of the fibers can be selected and/or processed to exhibit a permanent electrostatic property such as electret materials or the like.

The phrases “sheet,” “sheet-like,” “sheet-like configuration,” or variations thereof, are used to describe a cleaning apparatus having a thickness that is small relative to its length and width. The cleaning apparatus can define a “working surface” of the article, but this working surface, as well as the remainder of the apparatus, need not be flat or planar as shown in exemplary Figures. The working surface can be comprised of one or more areas of the first material, the second material, a third material or other materials described herein. The working surface can be configured to interface with and to contact the cleaning surface according to exemplary embodiments. According to some embodiments, the working surface can be shaped to geometrically trap debris.

The term “layer” need not be flat or planar and can refer to a plurality of layers. The layer can include a substrate and a coating, scrim, spray, sealant, covering, an intermediate layer coated or otherwise covered with various materials or additional layers, which can be part of the second material, for example.

FIGS. 1 and 1A illustrate a cleaning device 100 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The apparatus 100 can comprise a mop with a cleaning apparatus 101 comprising a cleaning media attached thereto as will be further described herein. The cleaning device 100 can further include a body 102, a connection 104, and a handle 106. The body 102 can comprise a base or backing configured to couple with the cleaning apparatus 101 according to the illustrated embodiment. Such coupling between the body 102 and the cleaning apparatus 101 can be accomplished using mechanical mechanisms such as adhesives, snaps, hooks, clips, tabs, or other means known in the art. Thus, the body 102 can be generally configured to be a rigid or semi-rigid structure. In some cases, the body 102 can provide weight or other mechanism(s) to urge the cleaning apparatus 101 against a cleaning surface 108. The body 102 can also be shaped to interface the cleaning apparatus 101 with the cleaning surface 108.

The handle 106 can be configured to be graspable by a user and can comprise an elongate structure of rigid material. The handle 106 can be coupled to the body 102 via the connection 104. The connection 104 can comprise a pivot joint, universal joint or another type of articulating joint as common to the art.

As shown in FIG. 1, the cleaning apparatus 101 of the cleaning device 100 can be configured to clean the cleaning surface 108 and can have both wet (liquid sorption) and dry (debris collection) capability. Indeed, in the embodiment of FIG. 1, the cleaning apparatus 101 of the cleaning device 100 is shown sorbing a liquid 110 and collecting debris 112.

The cleaning apparatus 101 is shown in further detail in FIG. 2. The cleaning apparatus 101 can be a sheet-like material and can have a working surface 114 at least a portion of which is formed by a first material 116 in the embodiment of FIG. 2. In the embodiment of FIG. 2, the cleaning apparatus 101 can include a leading edge 118, a trailing edge 120, a first lateral edge 122 and a second transverse lateral edge 124.

The working surface 114 can be configured to interface with and contact the cleaning surface 108 (FIG. 1). In the embodiment of FIG. 2, the working surface 114 can be substantially flat in extent from the leading edge 118 to the trailing edge 120 and between the first lateral edge 122 and the second lateral edge 124. However, in other embodiments the working surface 114 can have a radius of curvature, for example between the leading edge 118 to the trailing edge 120. In further embodiments, the working surface 114 can have pockets, recesses, projections or other geometric surface features thereon or therein to facilitate sorption and/or the capture of debris.

The leading edge 118 and the trailing edge 120 can have an elongate extent relative to the first lateral edge 122 and the second transverse lateral edge 124. The leading edge 118 can extend between the first lateral edge 122 and the second transverse lateral edge 124. Similarly, the trailing edge 120 can extend between the first lateral edge 122 and the second transverse lateral edge 124. The cleaning apparatus 101 can be generally rectangularly shaped according to the embodiment of FIG. 2. Thus, the leading edge 118 can extend generally parallel with but spaced apart from the trailing edge 120. In other embodiments, the cleaning apparatus 101 can be differently shaped, for example, can have a circular shape. Thus, cleaning apparatus 101 may not have distinct leading, trailing or lateral edges as described.

As used herein the term “leading edge” refers to the edge of the cleaning apparatus 101 which leads the cleaning apparatus 101 when it is moved in a forward direction away from its user. Likewise, the term “trailing edge” refers to the furthest edge of the cleaning apparatus 101 which trails the cleaning apparatus 101 when it is moved in a forward direction away from its user. Since the cleaning apparatus may be moved in any direction, the leading edge and trailing edge definitions will depend on use. It is also recognized that in some embodiments, the cleaning apparatuses disclosed herein can be configured to be reversible (i.e. they can be flipped over on the base 102 (FIG. 1)) such that a second working surface of the cleaning apparatus can be used to interface with and contact the cleaning surface 108 (FIG. 1). In such cases, the prior leading edge would become the trailing edge and the prior trailing edge would become the leading edge. As such, the leading edge can be referred to as an elongate first edge and/or an elongate second edge in subsequent discussion. Similarly, the trailing edge can be referred to as the elongate first edge and/or the elongate second edge in subsequent discussion.

FIG. 2A is an enlargement of a portion of the cleaning apparatus 101 showing only a part of the first material 116 in isolation from a second material (discussed and shown subsequently). The enlargement of FIG. 2A is at a junction between the trailing edge 120 and the first lateral edge 122. FIG. 2A shows a surface 126 of the first material 116. The surface 126 forms at least a portion of the working surface 114 of the first apparatus 101.

As shown in FIG. 2A, the first material can comprise a nonwoven layer 127 with a plurality of fibers 128 therein. The plurality of fibers can form a web structure 130 according to some embodiments. The first material can further include an adhesive (unnumbered in FIG. 2A) on the surface 126. According to the embodiment of FIG. 2A, the first material 116 can have an open lofty structure with the adhesive on the surface 126 which comprises at least a portion of the working surface 114 of the cleaning apparatus 101. As will be discussed and shown subsequently, the cleaning apparatus 101 can additionally include a second material (not shown in FIG. 2). The second material can be coupled to the first material 116. The second material can have a sorbent structure configured to sorb a liquid from the cleaning surface 108 (FIG. 1).

The first material 116 comprising the nonwoven layer 127 is further illustrated in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 2B. In general terms, the web structure 130 defines opposing outer surfaces including the surface 126. An intermediate region 132 can be defined between the surface 126 and the second outer surface 134. The adhesive 136 coats individual of the plurality of fibers 128 comprising the web structure 130. The adhesive 136 can thereby provide a tackiness to the first material 116. The adhesive 136 can comprise a substance which is tacky in the presence or absence of liquids. The adhesive 136 can be on one or more surfaces 138A, 138B, 138C (called out for exemplary purposes) of the plurality of fibers 128. As the plurality of fibers 128 can form part of the first material 116, the one or more surface 138A, 138B, and 138C can include the surface 126 shown in FIG. 2B.

According to the example of FIG. 2B, the adhesive 136 can have a coating level that can be greater at the intermediate region 132 than at one or both of the surfaces 126 and 134. For ease of illustration, the outer surfaces 126 and 134 are shown in FIG. 2B as being substantially flat; it will be recognized that this representation does not reflect a void volume provided in embodiments of the present application. Further, while the cleaning apparatus 101 is shown in FIGS. 1 to 2B as assuming a substantially planar form, other shapes including for the first material 116 are acceptable as discussed previously.

In the embodiment of FIG. 2B, the plurality of fibers 128 can be randomly distributed at varying locations relative to the corresponding surfaces 126 and 134, such that the surfaces 126 and 134 are not limited to a substantially flat configuration, and will instead provide a distinct void volume within which debris (not shown) can be collected. The first material 116 can be configured to collect debris. Further, the adhesive 136 is represented by stippling in FIG. 2B, with a thickness thereof relative to each of the plurality of fibers 128 being exaggerated for purposes of illustration. By way of further reference, the web structure 130 shown in FIG. 2B is a nonwoven web in which the plurality of fibers 128 are entangled; however, as made clear below, this is but one acceptable form of the web structure 130 and in other alternative embodiments the fibers may, for example, be woven. While the first material 116 is schematically illustrated as being a single layer that is relatively continuous across a thickness thereof, alternative constructions, such as for example two or more nonwoven layers having differing characteristics adhered to one another to form the first material 116, are also contemplated. Each of the plurality of fibers 128 can extend in varying directions within the web structure 130.

The plurality of fibers 128 shown in FIG. 2B are illustrated as being relatively few and number and are enlarged for ease of reference and explanation. It should be recognized that the first material 116 can comprise the plurality of fibers 128 which are much smaller and greater in number than those few shown in FIG. 2B. The adhesive 136 is illustrated as having a coating thickness on the plurality of fibers 128 that is relatively greater along a first section 140 (corresponding to intermediate region 132) as compared to a second section 142 and a third section 144. However, in other embodiments the coating thickness can be substantially uniform or can be relatively greater in one or both of the second section 142 and the third section 144 relative to the first section 140.

In one embodiment, an overall level of adhesive 136 (relative to an entirety of the web structure 130) can be in the range of 0.1-200 g/m². In another embodiment, the overall level of adhesive 136 is greater than 10 g/m²; and in another embodiment, not less than 15 g/m²; and in another embodiment, not less than 20 g/m².

The adhesive 136 can comprise a variety of products including a pressure sensitive adhesive such as e.g., elastomeric block copolymers, natural rubber, butyl rubber and polyisobutylene, styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR), polyisoprene, polyalphaolefins, and polyacrylates. Examples of useful thermoplastic elastomeric block copolymers include styrene-isoprene (SI), styrene-isoprene-styrene (SIS), styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS), ethylene-propylene-diene, styrene-ethylene/butylene-styrene (SEBS), and styrene-ethylene/propylene-styrene (SEPS). Other useful adhesive compositions may include, e.g., polyvinyl ethers, ethylene containing copolymers such as, e.g., ethylene vinyl acetate, ethylacrylate, and ethyl methacrylate, polyurethanes, polyamides, polyepoxides, polyvinylpyrrolidones and copolymers thereof, polyvinylalcohols and copolymers thereof, polyesters, and combinations thereof.

According to further embodiments the adhesive 136 can include a tackifying resin such as e.g., rosin esters, terpenes, phenols, and aliphatic, aromatic, or mixtures of aliphatic and aromatic synthetic hydrocarbon monomer resins. The tackifier components useful in block copolymer adhesive compositions can be solid, liquid, or a blend thereof. Suitable solid tackifiers include rosin, rosin derivatives, hydrocarbon resins, polyterpenes, coumarone indenes, and combinations thereof. Suitable liquid tackifiers include but are not limited to liquid hydrocarbon resins, hydrogenated liquid polystyrene resins, liquid polyterpenes, liquid rosin esters, and combinations thereof. Many tackifiers are commercially available, and selection thereof can be accomplished by one of ordinary skill in the adhesive compounding art.

Suitable adhesive 136 compositions include, e.g., spray coatable, hot melt coatable, transfer-coatable, solvent-coatable; and latex adhesive compositions. More particularly, and in one embodiment, the adhesive 136 can be a hot melt coatable pressure sensitive adhesive. Suitable hot melt coatable pressure sensitive adhesives include HL-1902 and HL-2168, available from H. B. Fuller Company, St. Paul, Minn.

The adhesive 136 can additionally include one or more additives such as N-decylmethacrylate polymer, polyisobutylene polymers, alkyl methacrylate polymers, polyisobutylene polymers, polyalkyl acrylates, and mixtures thereof. Further additives can include e.g., plasticizers, diluents, fillers, antioxidants, stabilizers, pigments, cross-linking agents, and the like.

According to some embodiments, the first material 116 can be calendared material or uncalendared material. In some embodiments, the adhesive 136 previously discussed may not be utilized on the first material 116. According to one embodiment, the first material 116 can have a thickness of between about 0.05 inches and about 0.5 inches. According to one embodiment, a layer of the first material 116 can have a thickness of 0.1 inches and had a weight per area of about 0.02 grams/in².

FIGS. 3 and 3A show a cleaning apparatus 201 coupled to the base 102 according to another embodiment. FIG. 3 provides an opposing side of the cleaning apparatus 201 and the base 102 from FIG. 3A. The base 102 is shown as a simplified schematic rectangular shape in FIGS. 3 and 3A for ease of interpretation. The cleaning apparatus 201 can include a first material 202 and a second material 204, a working surface 206, a first elongate edge 208 and a second elongate edge 210.

In FIGS. 3 and 3A, the first material 202 and the second material 204 can comprise sheet-like materials and can be organized as stratified layers 212 with the first material 202 disposed on and substantially covering the second material 204 such that a surface 214 of the first material comprises substantially all of the working surface 206. The second material 204 can be spaced from the working surface 206 by the first material 202. Thus, the surface 214 of the first material 202 can be configured to be disposed at the cleaning surface and the second material 204 can be spaced from the cleaning surface by the first material 202.

The first material 202 and the second material 204 are shown as substantially rectangular in construction in FIGS. 3 and 3A and extend between the first elongate edge 208 and the second elongate edge 210 as well as between lateral edges that are unnumbered in FIGS. 3 and 3A. Similarly, the working surface 206 can be bounded by the first elongate edge 208 and the second elongate edge 210 and the lateral edges. In the embodiment of FIGS. 3 and 3A, the working surface 206 can be comprised of the surface 214 of the first material 202.

The shape of the cleaning apparatus 201 in FIGS. 3 and 3A is exemplary and the cleaning apparatus 201 and indeed the shapes of the first material 202 and the second material 204 can differ in other embodiments. Indeed, in most embodiments, the shape (thickness, width, length) can differ from that of the second material 204 and can differ from that of the first material 202.

The construction of the first material 202 can be similar to or identical to that of the first material 116 described previously in reference to FIGS. 2 to 2B. Thus, the first material 202 will not be discussed in great detail. The second material 204 can be coupled to the first material 202 and can have a sorbent structure configured to sorb a liquid from the cleaning surface (not shown). According to some embodiments, the second material 204 can be coupled to the first material 202 by at least one of an adhesive bond formed by the adhesive 136 (FIG. 2B) on the first material 202, an adhesive bond formed by a second adhesive, an ultrasonic weld, and a thermal bond. According to the embodiment of FIGS. 3 and 3A, the first material 202 and the second material 204 can be coupled together along one or both of the elongate first edge 208 and the elongate second edge 210. In some embodiments, at least one of the first material 202 and the second material 204 can be resiliently compressible to conform the working surface 206 to the cleaning surface (not shown).

The second material 204 can have a sorption capacity of between about 5 grams of fluid sorbed per gram of second material and about 50 grams of fluid sorbed per gram of second material according to some embodiments. According to further embodiments, if the second material 204 comprises a medium capacity product, the sorption capacity can be between about 10 grams of fluid sorbed per gram of second material and about 25 grams of fluid sorbed per gram of second material. If the second material 204 comprises a high capacity product, the sorption capacity can be between about 20 grams of fluid sorbed per gram of second material and about 50 grams of fluid sorbed per gram of second material. Discussion of the second material is further provided subsequently in detail with regard to one of the Test Examples below. According to further embodiments, the thickness of the second material 204 can be between about 0.05 mm and about 50 mm.

The second material 204 can comprise a nonwoven microfiber material having a microweb construction according to some embodiments. The microfibers can be thermoplastic fibers, generally having an average fiber diameter of less than about 10 microns. According to further examples, the nonwoven web can comprise carrier fibers, i.e., blown fibers, preferably melt blown microfibers, air-laid staple fibers, or wood pulp fibers, and microfiber microwebs contained or dispersed among the carrier fibers. Examples of products that can comprise the second material 204 can comprise commercially available 3M™ Sorbent Pads, Rolls, Folded Pads including for Chemical Sorbents, Oil & Petroleum Sorbents and for Maintenance Sorbents. 3M™ Sorbent Pads if utilized can comprise both high capacity pads and medium capacity pads.

According to some examples, the second material 204 can be configured to be impregnated with and release a cleaning liquid (e.g., a water or cleaning solution) upon contact of the working surface with the cleaning surface. This impregnation can occur prior to or during the cleaning process (e.g., second material 204 can be preloaded or can sorb liquid from a bucket or other source during the cleaning process). The first material 202 and/or the second material 204 can include additives (e.g. a surfactant to make one or more of the first material 202 and/or the second material 204 hydrophobic, hydrophilic, oil sorbing, or the like). According to further embodiments, the second layer 204 can include a porous covering such as a cover sheet, porous sealant, porous sealing layer, scrim or other material on one or more surfaces thereof seal and/or hold together the second material 204.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show embodiments of the cleaning apparatus 301 and 401, respectively. In both FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the first material 302, 402 comprises a plurality of spaced apart strips 303, 403. More particularly, in FIG. 4, the cleaning apparatus 301 includes the first material 302, the second material 304, a first working surface 306, a first elongate edge 308 and a second elongate edge 310. In FIG. 5, the cleaning apparatus 401 includes the first material 402, the second material 404, a first working surface 406, a first elongate edge 408 and a second elongate edge 410. In both the embodiment of FIG. 4 and the embodiment of FIG. 5, the first material 302, 402 can be resiliently compressible to allow the second material 304, 404 to form a second portion 312, 412 of the working surface 306, 406 and the second portion 312, 412 can contact the cleaning surface. Thus, in embodiments of FIGS. 4 and 5, the working surface 306, 406 of the cleaning apparatus 301, 401 can include a second surface 320, 420 formed by the second material 304, 404.

As previously discussed in FIG. 4, the first material 302 comprises a plurality of strips 303. The strips 303 can be spaced apart from one another along the working surface 306. The strips can be disposed at an angle (e.g., orthogonal) relative to the elongate first edge 308 and the elongate second edge 310. Thus, in the embodiment of FIG. 4, the strips 303 extend in a lateral direction across the working surface from the elongate first edge 308 to the elongate second edge 310. Not shown is that the strips may be at varying pitch. These are just example designs, other geometric patterns both non-contiguous and contiguous may be used

Similarly, in FIG. 5, the first material 402 comprises a plurality of strips 403. The strips 403 can be spaced apart from one another along the working surface 406. The strips can be disposed at an angle (e.g., acute angle) relative to the elongate first edge 408 and the elongate second edge 410. Thus, in the embodiment of FIG. 5, the strips 403 extend diagonally across the working surface from the elongate first edge 408 to the elongate second edge 410.

FIGS. 6 to 12 show embodiments of the cleaning apparatus where the apparatus can be reversibly mounted to a mop and has two working surfaces. While the examples illustrate lofty substrates on both sides of the sorbent material, single sided mops in which the lofty material is disposed on a single side of the sorbent material, particularly for disposable products, are contemplated as discussed with respect to the prior exemplary embodiments. For example, FIG. 6 shows a cleaning apparatus 501 with a first material 502A and a first material 502B on opposing sides of a second material 504. The cleaning apparatus 501 can be constructed and used materials in a manner previously described, and therefore, specific discussion of the construction thereof will not be discussed in great detail. The cleaning apparatus 501 includes a first working surface 506A and a second working surface 506B. The first working surface 506A can comprise a surface 508 of the first material 502A. The second working surface 506B can comprise a surface 510 of the first material 502B. The first material 502A and the first material 502B can be identical in construction and composition as shown in the embodiment of FIG. 6. However, in other embodiments the first material 502A can differ in construction or composition from the first material 502B.

FIG. 7 shows a cleaning apparatus 601 that includes a first material 602A, a first material 602B, a second material 604, a first working surface 606A, a second working surface 606B, a first elongate edge 608 and a second elongate edge 610.

The first material 602A, 602B can be disposed relative to the second material 604 to comprise the working surface 606A, 606B at, and adjacent to, one or both of the elongate first edge 608 and the elongate second edge 610. More particularly, the first working surface 606A can be comprised of a surface 612A of first material 602A, a surface 614 of the second material 604, and a surface 612B of the first material 602B. Similarly, the first working surface 606B can be comprised of a surface 612AA of first material 602A, a surface 616 of the second material 604, and a surface 612BB of the first material 602B. Thus, in the embodiment of FIG. 7, the working surface 606A, 606B of the cleaning apparatus 601 includes a second surface 614, 616 formed by the second material 604.

The embodiments of the cleaning apparatuses of FIGS. 8 to 12 can include a third material in addition to the first material and the second material. The third material can comprise one or more of a sealing layer, a cover sheet, a scrim, and an abrasive, or the like, for example. For example, FIG. 8 shows an embodiment of a cleaning apparatus 701 with a similar construction to that of the embodiment of FIG. 7 but with a third material 706 in addition to the first material 702 and the second material 704. The third material 706 can be coupled to one or both of the first material 702 and the second material 704. As shown in FIG. 8, the third material 706 can be disposed on opposing sides of the second material 704 and can be disposed between the first material 702 and the second material 704. The third material 706 and the first material 702 together can comprise the first working surface 708A and the second working surface 708B of the cleaning apparatus 701.

The embodiment of a cleaning apparatus 801 of FIG. 9 can include a first material 802, a second material 804, a third material 806, a first working surface 808A, a second working surface 808B, an elongate first edge 810 and an elongate second edge 812. The third material 806 can be coupled to the second material 804. The third material 806 can be disposed on the second material 804 at, and adjacent to, one or both of the elongate first edge 810 and the elongate second edge 812. Thus, the third material 806 can comprise the working surface 808A, 808B at, and adjacent to, one or both of the elongate first edge 810 and the elongate second edge 812. The first material 802 can comprise the working surface 808A, 808B at an intermediate portion of the cleaning apparatus 801 and is spaced from the elongate first edge 810 and the elongate second edge 812 by the third material 806.

FIG. 10 shows an embodiment of a cleaning apparatus 901 of similar construction to that of FIG. 4 but additionally including a third material 906 in addition to a first material 902 and a second material 904. The third material 906 can be coupled to one or both of the first material 902 and the second material 904. Indeed, in FIG. 10 the third material 906 can be disposed between the first material 902 and the second material 904. The third material 906 can comprise portions a working surface 908A, 908B of the cleaning apparatus 901. The first material 902 can comprise portions of the working surface 908A, 908B between the exposed portions of the third material 906.

FIG. 11 shows a cleaning apparatus 1001 according to yet another embodiment. In FIG. 11, a third material 1006 can be disposed on an opposing side of a second material 1004 from a first material 1002. More particularly, the first material 1002 can comprise a first working surface 1008A of the cleaning apparatus 1001. Similarly, the third material 1006 can comprise a second working 1008B of the cleaning apparatus 1001.

FIG. 12 shows an embodiment of a cleaning apparatus 1101 where the first material 1102 comprises a plurality of distinct regions 1103 at a first working surface 1108A. The first material 1102 can comprise a fibrous adhesive spray, pattern coating of adhesive or the like in the embodiment of FIG. 12. The first material 1102 can be disposed on and coupled to a third material 1106. The third material 1106 can be disposed on and coupled to a second material 1104. In FIG. 12, the regions 1103 are constructed as dots or small circles. The shape, size, spacing and number of the regions 1103 can be selected as desired to maximize debris cleanup depending up the debris type, density, size and other factors. The regions 1103, and indeed the second material 1104 and/or the third material 1106, can be patterned to produce features (e.g., regions 1103) which can geometrically trap debris while still allowing the second material 1104 to sorb liquid. According to some embodiments, at least one of the first material 1102 and the third material 1106 can be a three-dimensionally constructed structure, can be provided with abrasive, can be provided with a texture, or the like. According to further embodiments, a third material may not be utilized but a spray adhesive comprising a first material can be added to the second material forming the cleaning apparatus.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the cleaning apparatus 1201 where two sections 1202 of the first material are secured to second material 1204. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 13, the second material 1204 is coupled to a third material 1206 on both top and bottom surfaces of second material 1204. The two sections of first material 1202 can be secured to second material 1204 (or the construction of second material 1204 and third material 1206) so that each section 1202 overlaps with an edge of second material 1204 and third material 1206, and extends beyond the construction formed by second material 1204 and third material 1206 by a distance of D1. In some instances, more than two sections of first material 1202 may be used consistent with the present disclosure. Distances D1 may be for example, 5 mm or more, 10 mm or more, 15 mm or more, 20 mm or more or 25 mm or more. Distance D2 may be about 1 mm and in some instances may be the width of the bond line 1212. In some instances distance D2 may be greater and may extend beyond the bond line 1212 to have an unbonded region of first material 1212 overlap with second material 1204. In these instances, distance D2 may be, for example, 5 mm, 10 mm, 15 mm, 20 mm, 25 mm or within a range of any two of these distances.

In some embodiments, section 1202 may include more than one layer of the first material. In some instances, a two-layer embodiment of section 1202 may be formed by a folded a portion of the first material 1202 comprising either of edge 1208 or 1209.

In some embodiments, there may be no gap between the two sections of material 1202 such that sections 1202 are a continuous layer of first material.

Section 1202 may be secured to materials 1204 and 1206 in a variety of ways, including, for example, mechanically securing them together through stitching (or sewing), an adhesive bond formed by a second adhesive, an ultrasonic weld, and a thermal bond. Section 1202 may be secured to sections 1204 and 1206 along line 1212. Line 1212 may comprise a continuous bond, such as a continuous ultrasonic weld, or an intermittent bond as may be created through stitching or an intermittent weld pattern.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 13, both major sides of the cleaning apparatus may be used during a cleaning operation. This may extend the life of a cleaning apparatus as shown. Additionally, because top side 1213 has more of first material 1202 present on a working surface than bottom side 1214, top side 1213 may be used as the working surface in situations where there is a greater need to collect debris, and bottom side 1214 may be used as the working surface in situations where there is a greater need to absorb fluid.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the cleaning apparatus 1300 where two sections 1302 of the first material are secured to second material 1304 such that they wrap around the leading and trailing edges of second material 1304 from top side 1313 to bottom side 1314, and edges 1309 of first material 1302 extend beyond edge 1310 by a distance of D4 of about 10 mm, 20 mm, 25 mm, or greater, or any range between any two of the preceding numbers. First material 1302 overlaps with second material 1304 by a distance D3 of about the width of a bond line, which may be, for example, 1 mm, 2 mm, 3 mm, 4 mm, 5 mm or greater. Though in some cases distance D3 may also be greater than the width of a bond line and may extend by up to 25 mm or more past the bonded line to overlap with second material 1304 as an unbonded region of the first material 1302.

FIG. 15 is an exploded cross-section view of the cleaning apparatus 1500 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure where the apparatus 1500 includes the first material 1502 folded at and secured between two sections of the second material 1504. In FIG. 15, a third material 1506 is disposed on both outer major surfaces of second material 1504. In one instance, material 1506 is a scrim. Cleaning apparatus 1500 can be secured together by seams or any bonding techniques discussed herein. In some instances, the first material 1502 may be inverted such that the fold is between the two sections of second material 1504 instead outside of the two sections of second material 1504.

FIG. 16 is an exploded cross-section view of the cleaning apparatus 1600 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure where the apparatus includes the first material 1602 disposed at and extending beyond the leading edge and trailing edge of two sections of the second material 1604. Third material 1606 is disposed on each of the major outer surfaces of second material 1604. In some embodiments, third material 1606 is a scrim. Cleaning apparatus 1600 may be secured together using seams or any bonding techniques discussed herein.

FIG. 17 is an exploded cross-section view of the cleaning apparatus 1700 according to one embodiment of the present invention where the apparatus 1700 includes the first material 1702 extending beyond the leading and trailing edge of the second material 1704. It further includes a third material 1706 on both outer major surfaces of the apparatus. Cleaning apparatus 1700 may be secured together using seams or any bonding techniques discussed herein.

According to one example a system for cleaning a surface is disclosed. The system can include an apparatus (such as any one of the embodiments shown and described herein) configured to mount, possibly reversibly, to a cleaning device, the apparatus having a first working surface with at least a portion formed by a first material, a second working surface with at least a portion formed by one of the first material or a different material, and a sorbent material interposed between the first working surface and the second working surface. The first material can have an open lofty structure with an adhesive on the surface or throughout a volume thereof. The first material can be configured to collect debris and can be configured to couple to the sorbent material. The different material, if utilized, can comprise one or more of a sealing layer, a cover sheet, a scrim, and an abrasive. The different material can be configured to couple with the sorbent material on an opposing surface thereof from the first material. According to further embodiments, the system can comprise a plurality of apparatuses (such as any one or any combination of the embodiments shown and described herein) each apparatus in the system can have a different configuration from one another while still having at least the first material and the sorbent material interposed between the first working surface and the second working surface. For example, the first material for each of the plurality of apparatuses can be differently sized or shaped at the portion that forms the first working surface.

The following embodiments are intended to be illustrative of the present disclosure and not limiting.

Various Notes & Embodiments

Embodiment 1 is a cleaning apparatus that can have a working surface that is configured to interface with a cleaning surface, the apparatus can comprise a first material having an open lofty structure with an adhesive on a surface which comprises at least a portion of the working surface of the cleaning apparatus, the first material configured to collect debris; and a second material coupled to the first material, the second material having a sorbent structure configured to sorb a liquid from the cleaning surface.

In Embodiment 2, the subject matter of Embodiment 1 optionally includes wherein the first material can comprise a nonwoven layer and can include: a plurality of fibers having a web structure; and the adhesive comprises a substance which is tacky in the presence or absence of liquids and the adhesive is on one or more surfaces of the plurality of fibers.

In Embodiment 3, the subject matter of any one or more of Embodiments 1-2 optionally can include wherein at least one of the first material and the second material are resiliently compressible to conform the working surface to the cleaning surface.

In Embodiment 4, the subject matter of Embodiment 3 optionally can include wherein the first material is resiliently compressible to allow the second material to form a second portion of the working surface and to contact the cleaning surface.

In Embodiment 5, the subject matter of any one or more of Embodiments 1-4 optionally can include wherein cleaning apparatus has an elongate first edge and an elongate second edge, and the first material and the second material are coupled together along one or both of the elongate first edge and the elongate second edge.

In Embodiment 6, the subject matter of any one or more of Embodiments 1-5 optionally can include wherein the second material is coupled to the first material by at least one of an adhesive bond formed by the adhesive on the first material, an adhesive bond formed by a second adhesive, an ultrasonic weld, and a thermal bond.

In Embodiment 7, the subject matter of any one or more of Embodiments 1-6 optionally can include wherein the second material has an sorption capacity of between about 5 grams of fluid sorbed per gram of second material and about 50 grams of fluid sorbed per gram of second material.

In Embodiment 8, the subject matter of any one or more of Embodiments 1-7 optionally can include wherein the first material and the second material comprise stratified layers with the surface of the first material configured to be disposed at the cleaning surface and the second material is spaced from the cleaning surface by the first material.

In Embodiment 9, the subject matter of any one or more of Embodiments 1-8 optionally can include wherein the working surface of the cleaning apparatus includes a second surface formed by the second material.

In Embodiment 10, the subject matter of Embodiment 9 optionally can include wherein the cleaning apparatus has an elongate first edge and an elongate second edge, and the first material is disposed relative to the second material to comprise the working surface at, and adjacent to, one or both of the elongate first edge and the elongate second edge.

In Embodiment 11, the subject matter of any one or more of Embodiments 9-10 optionally can include wherein the cleaning apparatus has an elongate first edge and an elongate second edge, and the first material comprises a plurality of spaced apart strips that are disposed at an angle relative to the elongate first edge and the elongate second edge.

In Embodiment 12, the subject matter of any one or more of Embodiments 1-11 optionally can include a third material coupled to one or both of the first material and the second material, the third material comprising one or more of a sealing layer, a cover sheet, a scrim, and an abrasive.

In Embodiment 13, the subject matter of any one or more of Embodiments 1-12 optionally can include wherein the second material is configured to be impregnated with and release a cleaning liquid upon contact of the working surface with the cleaning surface.

Embodiment 14 is a cleaning apparatus that can have a working surface that is configured to interface with a cleaning surface, the apparatus can comprise: a fiber web having an open lofty structure with an adhesive on a surface of the fiber web, the surface comprising at least a portion of the working surface of the cleaning apparatus, the fiber web configured to collect debris; and a sorbent material coupled to the fiber web, the sorbent material configured to sorb a liquid from the cleaning surface.

In Embodiment 15, the subject matter of Embodiment 14 optionally can include wherein the fiber web comprises a nonwoven layer and the adhesive comprises a substance which is tacky in the presence or absence of liquids.

In Embodiment 16, the subject matter of any one or more of Embodiments 14-15 optionally can include wherein at least one of the sorbent material and the fiber web is resiliently compressible to allow the sorbent material to form a second portion of the working surface and to contact the cleaning surface.

In Embodiment 17, the subject matter of any one or more of Embodiments 14-16 optionally can include wherein cleaning apparatus has an elongate first edge and an elongate second edge, and the fiber web and the sorbent material are coupled together along one or both of an elongate first edge and an elongate second edge of the cleaning apparatus.

In Embodiment 18, the subject matter of any one or more of Embodiments 14-17 optionally can include wherein the fiber web and the sorbent material comprise stratified layers with the surface of the fiber web configured to be disposed at the cleaning surface and the sorbent material spaced from the cleaning surface by the fiber web and, wherein the liquid passes through the fiber web.

In Embodiment 19, the subject matter of any one or more of Embodiments 14-18 optionally can include wherein the working surface of the cleaning apparatus includes a second surface formed by the sorbent material.

In Embodiment 20, the subject matter of any one or more of Embodiments 14-19 optionally can include a third material coupled to one or both of the fiber web and the sorbent material, the third material comprising one or more of a sealing layer, a cover sheet, a scrim, and an abrasive.

In Embodiment 21, the subject matter of any one or more of Embodiments 14-19 can optionally include a first section of the fiber web wraps around an elongate first edge of the sorbent material, such that the first section of the fiber web is adjacent to both the working surface and the surface opposite the working surface and such that a folded edge of the first section of the fiber web extends beyond the elongate first edge of the sorbent material; and wherein a second section of the fiber web wraps around an elongate second edge of the sorbent material, such that the second section of the fiber web is adjacent to both the working surface and the surface opposite the working surface, and such that a folded edge of the first section of the fiber web extends beyond the elongate second edge of the sorbent material.

In Embodiment 22, the subject matter of embodiment 21 can include a configuration where the folded edge of the first section of the fiber web extends beyond the elongate first edge of the sorbent material by a distance of 25 mm.

In Embodiment 23, the subject matter of Embodiment 14 can be configured such that a first section of the fiber web is secured to an elongate first edge of the sorbent material, such that the first section of the fiber web overlaps the sorbent material along the elongate first edge, and extends beyond the elongate first edge; and wherein a second section of the fiber web is secured to an elongate second edge of the sorbent material, such that the second section of the fiber web overlaps the sorbent material along the elongate second edge, and extends beyond the elongate second edge, wherein the first section of fiber web is physically separate from the second section of fiber web.

Embodiment 24 is a system for cleaning a surface can comprise: a first apparatus configured to reversibly mount to a cleaning device, the apparatus can comprise: a first working surface with at least a portion formed by a first material, the first material has an open lofty structure with an adhesive on the surface thereof, a second working surface with at least a portion formed by one of the first material or a different material, and a sorbent material interposed between the first working surface and the second working surface and is configured to couple with the first material.

In Embodiment 25, the subject matter of Embodiment 24 optionally can include wherein the different material comprises one or more of a sealing layer, a cover sheet, a scrim, and an abrasive, and wherein the different material is configured to couple with the sorbent material on an opposing surface thereof from the first material.

In Embodiment 26, the subject matter of any one or more of Embodiments 24-25 optionally can include a plurality of apparatuses each apparatus having a different configuration from one another while each still has at least the first material and the sorbent material interposed between the first working surface and the second working surface.

Each of these non-limiting embodiments can stand on its own, or can be combined in various permutations or combinations with one or more of the other embodiments.

The above detailed description includes references to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of the detailed description. The drawings show, by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which the invention can be practiced. These embodiments are also referred to herein as “examples.” Such examples can include elements in addition to those shown or described. However, the present inventors also contemplate examples in which only those elements shown or described are provided. Moreover, the present inventors also contemplate examples using any combination or permutation of those elements shown or described (or one or more aspects thereof), either with respect to a particular example (or one or more aspects thereof), or with respect to other examples (or one or more aspects thereof) shown or described herein.

In the event of inconsistent usages between this document and any documents so incorporated by reference, the usage in this document controls.

In this document, the terms “a” or “an” are used, as is common in patent documents, to include one or more than one, independent of any other instances or usages of “at least one” or “one or more.” In this document, the term “or” is used to refer to a nonexclusive or, such that “A or B” includes “A but not B,” “B but not A,” and “A and B,” unless otherwise indicated. In this document, the terms “including” and “in which” are used as the plain-English equivalents of the respective terms “comprising” and “wherein.” Also, in the following claims, the terms “including” and “comprising” are open-ended, that is, a system, device, article, composition, formulation, or process that includes elements in addition to those listed after such a term in a claim are still deemed to fall within the scope of that claim. Moreover, in the following claims, the terms “first,” “second,” and “third,” etc. are used merely as labels, and are not intended to impose numerical requirements on their objects.

The above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. For example, the above-described examples (or one or more aspects thereof) may be used in combination with each other. Other embodiments can be used, such as by one of ordinary skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The Abstract is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R. § 1.72(b), to allow the reader to quickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. Also, in the above Detailed Description, various features may be grouped together to streamline the disclosure. This should not be interpreted as intending that an unclaimed disclosed feature is essential to any claim. Rather, inventive subject matter may lie in less than all features of a particular disclosed embodiment. Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description as examples or embodiments, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment, and it is contemplated that such embodiments can be combined with each other in various combinations or permutations. The scope of the invention can be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.

Experimental Results

Drag Measurement and Drag Value

A Model 100 Force Gauge (available from Chatillon Ametek Company, Brooklyn, N.Y.) was attached to a standard ScotchBrite™ High Performance Sweeper mop (available from 3M Company, St. Paul, Minn.). The Model 100 Force Gauge was mounted onto the 3M mop and handle by means of a fixturing device. The fixturing device was made to attach the mop handle with standard machine screws, and was mounted in such a way that the force required to push the mop along a test floor could be recorded. The test floor surface was a 60 cm×243 cm piece of vinyl flooring material. The test floor was cleaned with a standard broom and dusted with a Dooddleduster™ cloth (available from 3M Company, St. Paul, Minn.) between each test. A 12.7 cm×35.6 cm sample of cleaning wipe material was cut and mounted onto the test mop head having a length of 13.5 inches (35 cm) and a width of 3.75 inches (9.5 cm). The mop was then pushed along the floor. To this end, the mop head was constructed such that the handle could swivel relative to the mop head. During pushing, an angle of the handle relative to a plane of the mop head (and thus of the test floor) was maintained at less than 80°. The maximum force (in pounds) to the push the mop was recorded on the Chatillon Model 100 Force Gauge. The maximum force so-recorded is designated as the Drag Value of the cleaning wipe test sample. The data reported are an average of at least two tests.

Oil Absorption Short Test

A series of twenty tests were performed on 3M™ High Capacity Sorbents according to ASTM 726-12. The tests were performed with SAE 30 Motor Oil (having 0.88 g/cm³ density) and without the presence of water. Each sorbent sample had a dry mass between 5.32 and 6.42 grams. The sorbent sample was allowed to float freely from between 15 min+/−20 seconds and was then allowed to drain for 30 seconds+/−3 seconds prior to taking a wet mass. The average mass ratio gained from sorbing (wet mass/dry mass) for the twenty samples was 49.1.

A further series of twenty tests were performed on 3M™ Medium Capacity Sorbents according to ASTM 726-12. The tests were performed with SAE 30 Motor Oil (having 0.88 g/cm³ density) and without the presence of water. Each sorbent sample had a dry mass between 3.47 and 4.16 grams. The sorbent sample was allowed to float freely from between 15 min+/−20 seconds and was then allowed to drain for 30 seconds+/−3 seconds prior to taking a wet mass. The average mass ratio gained from sorbing (wet mass/dry mass) for the twenty samples was 21.9.

Examples

Wet or dry cleaning media samples were prepared and tested for debris pickup, absorption, abrasion resistance and uniformity of liquid pickup. Functionality was shown by adequate attachment to flat mop hooks. These examples are merely for illustrative purposes only and are not meant to be limiting on the scope of the appended claims.

Test Methods for Examples: Dry Debris Pickup

A standard size (10 cm by 41 cm) mop was used for this test. The mop was weighed before testing to obtain the pre-test weight. A debris mix was used to execute the test, the mix was as follows:

1 g Medium Test Dust (available from Powder Technologies, Inc, Arden Hills, Minn. as ISO 12103-1 A3 Medium Test Dust) 4 g 350 micron sand (available from Powder Technologies, Inc, Arden Hills, Minn. as MIL-STD-810E Silica Sand) 4 g crushed quartz (available from Powder Technologies, Inc, Arden Hills, Minn. as MIL-AV-E-8593F Crushed Quartz)

The mop was attached to a standard flat mop (available from 3M Company, St. Paul Minn. as 3M EASY SCRUB FLAT MOP). As shown in FIG. 18, a test track 1800 was prepared on a vinyl composite tile floor. The track was 1 ft×36 ft (0.3 m×11 m) with one fourth of the debris mixture poured over 1-ft areas 1801, 1802, 1803, and 1804 spaced at six-foot (1.8 m) intervals.

To execute the test, the mop was pushed from the start of the track to the end, reversing the leading edge of the mop at point 1810, located before the third debris pile 1803. At the end of the track, the mop was carefully removed and weighed to get the post-test weight.

The pre-test weight was subtracted from the post-test weight to get the amount of debris picked up. The test was repeated four times and the results were averaged. After each test, the track was cleaned with four passes of clean duster (available from 3M Company St. Paul Minn. as 3M EASY TRAP DUSTER).

Uniform Liquid Distribution

One hundred milliliters of water was dyed with five milliliters of blue dye (available from SuperValu Inc. Eden Prairie, Minn. as Essential Everyday Blue Food Coloring). The water was poured on the floor in an area of 30 cm by 30 cm and the mop was pulled through the liquid in an “S”-shape. The resultant trail of water was analyzed for streaks. The streaks were analyzed as severe, moderate, or nonexistent. For the severe rating, the streaks are large and there are large dry spots in the trail. For the moderate rating, there is visible streaking, but nearly full wet-out with few dry spots in the trail. For the nonexistent rating, the wet-out is uniform and there are no dry spots in the trail.

Abrasion Resistance

The scrim (available from Fitesa Simpsonville, S.C. as S3502) was ultrasonically bonded to the sorbent (available from 3M Company St. Paul Minn. as MAINTENANCE SORBENT PAD MEDIUM CAPACITY MCM) and then attached to a flat mop. One hundred milliliters of water was poured onto a ceramic tile floor with ¼″ (0.64 cm) grouting. The mop was dragged through the water and then over the tile floor in an “S”-shape and then up and down and then repeated on an 8′×10′ (2.4 m×3.0 m) section of the floor. The mops were then inspected for tears, pilling, and other defects. Any visible defect resulted in fail.

Dry Time

One hundred milliliters of water was poured on a vinyl composite tile surface at ambient conditions. The mop was dragged through the water in an “S”-motion across a 4′×4′ (1.2 m×1.2 m) area. The remaining water on the floor was then monitored and timed in minutes until it was dry. These tests were performed 4 times to get an average.

Absorption

ASTM method F-726-12 was used to judge absorbance. The mop is weighed to get its pre-test weight. The mops were submerged in water for fifteen minutes and then taken out of the water. The mop was drained for thirty seconds and then weighed to get its post-test weight. The pre-test was subtracted from the post-test to obtain the absorption.

Functional Absorption

One hundred milliliters of water was poured on a vinyl composite tile surface. The mop was dragged through the water in an “S”-motion across a 4′×4′ (1.2 m×1.2 m) area. The mop was weighed after to obtain the post-test weight. The pre-test weight was subtracted from the post-test weight to obtain the practical absorption. These tests were performed 4 times to get an average.

Example Preparation:

A 16″×4″ (41 cm×10 cm) section of sorbent (available from 3M Company St. Paul Minn. as MAINTENANCE SORBENT PAD MEDIUM CAPACITY MCM) was cut and the scrim was removed from both sides. The abrasion-resistant Fitesa S3502 (available from Fitesa Simpsonville, S.C. as S5302) scrim was ultrasonically bonded to the sorbent sample on both sides. Embodiments consistent with FIGS. 13 and 14 were then prepared differently.

The embodiments consistent with FIG. 13 were prepared by ultrasonically bonding 1.5″×16″ (3.8 cm×41 cm) strips of duster (available from 3M Company St. Paul Minn. as 3M EASY TRAP DUSTER) to one long edge of the sorbent with scrim. There was a ½″ (1.3 cm) overlap of the duster on the sorbent. The mops were tested for Debris Pickup, Uniform Liquid Distribution, Abrasion Resistance, Dry Time, Absorption and Functional Absorption according to the Test Methods listed above. Results are shown in Table 1 below.

The embodiments consistent with FIG. 14 were prepared by ultrasonically bonding 3″×16″ (7.6 cm×41 cm) strips of duster (available from 3M Company St. Paul Minn. as 3M EASY TRAP DUSTER) to both of the long edges of the sorbent with scrim. This formed a loop of EASY TRAP from the top to the bottom of the mop. The mops were tested for Debris Pickup, Uniform Liquid Distribution, Abrasion Resistance, Dry Time, Absorption and Functional Absorption according to the Test Methods listed above. Results are shown in Table 1 below.

TABLE 1 Example Test Results Uniform Abra- Func- Em- Liquid sion Dry tional bodi- Debris Distri- Resis- Time Absorp- Absorp- ment Pickup bution tance (min:sec) tion tion FIG.   2 grams Uniform Pass 5:28 125 mL 46 mL 13 FIG. 2.5 grams Uniform Pass 5:28 125 mL 48 mL 14 

1. A cleaning apparatus having a working surface that is configured to interface with a cleaning surface, the apparatus comprising: a first material having an open lofty structure with an adhesive on a surface which comprises at least a portion of the working surface of the cleaning apparatus, the first material configured to collect debris; and a second material coupled to the first material, the second material having a sorbent structure configured to sorb a liquid from the cleaning surface.
 2. The cleaning apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first material comprises a nonwoven layer including: a plurality of fibers having a web structure; and the adhesive comprises a substance which is tacky in the presence or absence of liquids and the adhesive is on one or more surfaces of the plurality of fibers. 3-4. (canceled)
 5. The cleaning apparatus of claim 1, wherein cleaning apparatus has an elongate first edge and an elongate second edge, and the first material and the second material are coupled together along one or both of the elongate first edge and the elongate second edge. 6-11. (canceled)
 12. The cleaning apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a third material coupled to one or both of the first material and the second material, the third material comprising one or more of a sealing layer, a cover sheet, a scrim, and an abrasive.
 13. The cleaning apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second material is configured to be impregnated with and release a cleaning liquid upon contact of the working surface with the cleaning surface.
 14. A cleaning apparatus having a working surface that is configured to interface with a cleaning surface, the apparatus comprising: a fiber web having an open lofty structure with an adhesive on a surface of the fiber web, the surface comprising at least a portion of the working surface of the cleaning apparatus, the fiber web configured to collect debris; and a sorbent material coupled to the fiber web, the sorbent material configured to sorb a liquid from the cleaning surface.
 15. The cleaning apparatus of claim 14, wherein the fiber web comprises a nonwoven layer and the adhesive comprises a substance which is tacky in the presence or absence of liquids.
 16. The cleaning apparatus of claim 14, wherein at least one of the sorbent material and the fiber web is resiliently compressible to allow the sorbent material to form a second portion of the working surface and to contact the cleaning surface.
 17. The cleaning apparatus of claim 14, wherein cleaning apparatus has an elongate first edge and an elongate second edge, and the fiber web and the sorbent material are coupled together along one or both of an elongate first edge and an elongate second edge of the cleaning apparatus.
 18. The cleaning apparatus of claim 14, wherein the fiber web and the sorbent material comprise stratified layers with the surface of the fiber web configured to be disposed at the cleaning surface and the sorbent material spaced from the cleaning surface by the fiber web and, wherein the liquid passes through the fiber web.
 19. The cleaning apparatus of claim 14, wherein the working surface of the cleaning apparatus includes a second surface formed by the sorbent material.
 20. The cleaning apparatus of claim 14, further comprising a third material coupled to one or both of the fiber web and the sorbent material, the third material comprising one or more of a sealing layer, a cover sheet, a scrim, and an abrasive.
 21. The cleaning apparatus of claim 14, wherein a first section of the fiber web wraps around an elongate first edge of the sorbent material, such that the first section of the fiber web is adjacent to both the working surface and the surface opposite the working surface and such that a folded edge of the first section of the fiber web extends beyond the elongate first edge of the sorbent material; and wherein a second section of the fiber web wraps around an elongate second edge of the sorbent material, such that the second section of the fiber web is adjacent to both the working surface and the surface opposite the working surface, and such that a folded edge of the first section of the fiber web extends beyond the elongate second edge of the sorbent material.
 22. The cleaning apparatus of claim 21, wherein the folded edge of the first section of the fiber web extends beyond the elongate first edge of the sorbent material by a distance of 25 mm.
 23. The cleaning apparatus of claim 14, wherein a first section of the fiber web is secured to an elongate first edge of the sorbent material, such that the first section of the fiber web overlaps the sorbent material along the elongate first edge, and extends beyond the elongate first edge; and wherein a second section of the fiber web is secured to an elongate second edge of the sorbent material, such that the second section of the fiber web overlaps the sorbent material along the elongate second edge, and extends beyond the elongate second edge, wherein the first section of fiber web is physically separate from the second section of fiber web.
 24. A system for cleaning a surface comprising: a first apparatus configured to reversibly mount to a cleaning device, the apparatus comprising: a first working surface with at least a portion formed by a first material, the first material has an open lofty structure with an adhesive on the surface thereof, a second working surface with at least a portion formed by one of the first material or a different material, and a sorbent material interposed between the first working surface and the second working surface and is configured to couple with the first material.
 25. The system of claim 24, wherein the different material comprises one or more of a sealing layer, a cover sheet, a scrim, and an abrasive, and wherein the different material is configured to couple with the sorbent material on an opposing surface thereof from the first material.
 26. The system of claim 24, further comprising a plurality of apparatuses each apparatus having a different configuration from one another while each still has at least the first material and the sorbent material interposed between the first working surface and the second working surface. 